MAILBAG: Portal Watch, '24 Expectations, Top 25 Chances + More

Answering this week's questions from the fans.

From @EERSBeers:

Q: What offseason adjustments need to be made? Need to do something about this offense as we saw in this game it stalls out (3 and out) for extended periods of time. Need to start having long and methodical drives.

A: As crazy as it may seem, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in the bowl game. It was the first time they played an opposing team in over a month. That's a long time in between games and you lose your rhythm. Plus, the loss of Zach Frazier doesn't help. That said, the biggest area of improvement for me has to be executing 3rd and medium/short. Because of the success in the run game, they did a good job getting into third and manageable. However, they haven't taken advantage of those favorable situations.

From @wvufan2023:

Q: Way-too-early predictions for 2024?

A: I'll cook up a more in-depth article in the coming days. But initial thoughts...8-4.

From @ScottEl13805771:

Q: I’m hearing two transfers and one retirement any light on that?

A: There are three that are moving on for sure. Portal/retirement haven't been confirmed for the three but the one in question is on the defensive side. I have seven others on "high alert" for the portal.

From @_xFaTT:

Q: Which position needs to improve the most in the off season for next year's team to win the Big 12?

A: I won't narrow this down to just one position. Instead, I'm going with the secondary as a whole. You lose Beanie Bishop and that's a major loss. Outside of him, no one played consistently at a high level in the back end. 

From @Climb_SexualWVU

Q: Will we finish top 25? Also if JJ Jones wanted to come here given our WR depth and other needs, would we have room?

A: I don't think they finish in the top 25, but I think they'll receive votes. That'd be one heck of a jump -- not an impossible one, however. As for Jones, yes. There is room.

From @FauxCaridiNTC:

Q: Too crazy to think we win the Big 12 next year?

A: Not crazy at all. But there's still a lot that can/will happen between now and fall camp, so it's hard to make that level or prediction without knowing who else leaves plus what others in the league add/subtract. The Big 12 slate should be a little more challenging next year,  so I wouldn't be surprised if it's eight wins again. A big part of this will be how big of a stride Garrett Greene takes in the offseason and filling the voids of Zach Frazier, Beanie Bishop.

From @Jackson48645777:

Q: Any transfer updates?

A: Nothing public at the moment. Some news is on the way. I'm not going to spoil a kid's announcement. But there are a few departures that will take place before Jan. 2 (portal closing date) and I'm working on gathering a list of visitors for the first week of January.

From @Crett_H_Blough:

Q: Preseason Top 25 next year?

A: It depends on how they come out of spring portal-wise. If all the big guns are still here, yes. I think they will be in that 23-25 range. It would also make for a Top 25 matchup to open the season with Penn State.

From @bugpimpin:

Q: Does Neal need 10 wins next year to keep his job?

A: No. As I mentioned this morning on Between The Eers, he won't get fired for winning 18 games in two years. And winning nine again doesn't necessarily mean that's the best he can do here. That just means that's the best he could get out of this current group. He's safe for 2025 unless he takes a major step back and there are no significant injuries to blame.

What Neal Brown Said Following the Win Over UNC

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